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Permalink Reply by Sue & the Crew on July 30, 2010 at 7:38pm

When I looked at the list, I wasn't entirely sure what Hypothyroidism or Pyoderma were, so I thought I would share the information (from the same source linked above):

Hypothyroidism
If your dog gains weight suddenly but isn't eating more than usual, it could be hypothyroidism. A problem commonly seen in purebred dogs, hypothyroidism is caused when the thyroid gland stops producing the thyroid hormone, which is needed to regulate a dog's metabolism.

Other common symptoms of hypothyroidism include a lack of appetite, baldness, flaky skin, dull coat, droopy eyelids, and stiff joints. Some dogs will also have an awful stench, regardless of how much you bathe them. To treat the condition, your vet will prescribe a thyroid supplement for your dog, which it will require for the rest of his life.

Pyoderma
Pyoderma is just a fancy name for a bacterial skin infection. Luckily, it isn’t contagious to other dogs, so you won’t need to set up an emergency quarantine room in your home, but you will need to mosey on down to the vet.

Some signs to look out for are hair loss, itchy yellow pustules, lesions on the skin, and what may appear like chin acne. Depending on the severity, your vet may shave the affected area(s), give your dog a special antibacterial bath, and a prescription for antibiotics. In extreme cases, your dog may receive a vaccine.

Permalink Reply by Sue & the Crew on July 30, 2010 at 7:38pm

I've dealt with #10 sprains, #1 ear infections (Golden Retrievers, sheesh), and 4 & 5 - yuck, not pleasant.

I had a situation once where my Golden's eye became very infected after a swim in Lake Erie. It was very frightening as her eye literally bulged (swelled?) out. We rushed her to the emergency vet, because of course it was in the middle of the night when she woke us up whimpering, and some medicine fixed her right up (not after my wallet suffered...LOL).

AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on July 30, 2010 at 7:52pm

WOW, that would have scared me. Luckily (knocking wood) I have not had any serious problems or maladies with my guys. I do titers and blood tests annually and avoid all the chemicals that are recommended. Two of my big dogs had Lyme Disease last year, found after the blood test and did their course of antibiotics and were negative this year. I think doing the annual blood catches things before they become a big problem.

Permalink Reply by Sue & the Crew on July 30, 2010 at 7:55pm

Now, you have to explain the titers and blood test to me because I've only really heard of it recently and my vet has never suggested it. Exactly what is done? I hear it is to check the dogs level of "protection" to a certain ailment (like Lyme). What's involved? Cost? Etc.?

Member Since 2009Permalink Reply by Jeannine, Gamine & Thalie on July 30, 2010 at 8:41pm

ARTHRITIS IN DOGS: /www.arthritis.org/arthritis-dogs.php

Spotting Arthritis in Spot

Arthritis doesn’t discriminate. It affects not only people of all ages -- including children -- but also strikes our furry friends, too. If you’re a dog-owner, you make sure your buddy takes his heartworm medicine, eats well, looks bright-eyed and playful, and greets you as only a doggy can when you come home. You notice changes in mood and activity, so if your pet isn’t feeling his best you may suspect a cold or stomach virus – but it could be arthritis. In fact, arthritis affects one in every five adult dogs in the U.S. and is one of the most common sources of chronic pain that veterinarians treat.

Spot’s Pals Are Early Diagnosis and Treatment

How do you know if it’s arthritis? Your dog can’t explain what’s wrong with him, so it’s important to watch his non-verbal cues closely and take even subtle changes seriously.

Signs that your dog may have arthritis:

.Favoring a limb
.Difficulty sitting or standing
.Sleeping more
.Seeming to have stiff or sore joints
.Hesitancy to jump, run or climb stairs
.Weight gain
.Decreased activity or less interest in play
.Attitude or behavior changes
.Being less alert

If your dog seems to have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks take him to your veterinarian for an arthritis evaluation, which will involve a physical exam and possibly X-rays. The best thing to do for your dog in managing his arthritis is to get a diagnosis and start a treatment plan as soon as possible. Treating canine arthritis is similar to that of human osteoarthritis.

Therapies may include:

.Healthy diet and exercise to help maintain proper weight.
.Working with your veterinarian to find a drug treatment that helps relieve the pain.
.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS): the most common form of pharmaceutical treatment for arthritis in dogs.
.Over-the-counter pet treatments, such as pills or food containing either glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate or Omega fatty acids. Both have shown to help relieve the symptoms of arthritis in dogs.
.A veterinarian-prescribed NSAID and an over-the-counter treatment that together may help decrease pain and disease progression.
Never give your dog human medication without checking first with your veterinarian. Certain medications can be toxic to dogs – particularly acetaminophen and ibuprofen – and a safe dose will differ between a greyhound and a dachshund.
No matter how you decide to treat your dog’s arthritis, make sure you work with a veterinarian to ensure that you select a program that helps your best buddy.

From Dino to Fido

Arthritis is one of the oldest diseases in history. We know that the dinosaurs had it and there is evidence that early humans lived with the same chronic aches and pains. So it makes sense that Dogs Get Arthritis, Too. In fact, it is a common ailment of man’s best friend.

The Human-Hound Connection

Now you know that both you and your dog can get arthritis, but did you know that managing your dog’s arthritis can help you better manage yours? It's true that having a pet can give you a positive spin on life, boost your attitude and lift your spirits. Pet-owners also tend to live longer and have fewer visits to the doctor’s office.

More good news is that the treatment strategy for osteoarthritis in humans and in canines is similar:
.Early diagnosis and treatment
.Maintaining a healthy weight
.Exercise
.Proper medication

Don’t Spare Yourself to Spoil the Dog

We can’t help it. We spoil our pets. If you focus more on your dog’s health than on yours, try these tips to keep both of you healthy and active.

.Visit the doctor. Your pet needs to see the veterinarian at least once a year for a check-up – maybe more. When you make his appointment, call your own doctor and schedule one for yourself. Make sure you both get some baseline X-rays to chart your bone deterioration.
.Shed excess pounds. Pay more attention to what your pet eats and when, and do the same for yourself. Read the food labels for each of you to make sure that every bite is giving you both good energy and nutrition. Limit your servings and don’t cheat by eating between meals or slipping Fido extra snacks.
.Coordinate your dog’s medication schedule with your own to make sure you both take your dosage every day. Arrange medicine with mealtime if it needs to be taken with food. Keep your meds together so you will see yours every time you reach for his. Use colorful stickers or permanent markers to help distinguish whose medication is whose, especially if you have trouble reading small print.
.Never let your dog take your medicine – and don’t take his – without discussing it with your doctor.
.Let Rover take you for walk. Instead of kicking your dog off the couch so you can stretch out, kick him off, grab the leash and stretch out together. Take a walk or run with your four-legged friend. You’ll both strengthen the muscles around your joints, which reduces stress on the joint itself. But don’t over do it. Both of you need to increase exercise levels slowly and stay hydrated. Monitor how you both feel after the walk to determine if you need to increase or decrease your level next time. Don’t only treat your own blisters and sore feet – be sure to check Fido’s paws and pads after exercising for lesions or lacerations.

AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on July 30, 2010 at 8:42pm

Through blood test, they find the levels of antibodies in the system to what they are testing for, ie rabies, bortadella, etc. They can determine if the dog has sufficient levels they will not need boosters, certainly not every year and so far for us, not every three years. Especially, in older dogs, they are thinking they do not need all the vaccs that here, I don't know about in Canada, here they were giving annually. The cost is about $90 here for the titer panel, but so worth it to keep all those chemicals out of them. I have done it for the past three years and besides the mandatory rabies every 3 years, my crew has had full immunity and has not needed ANY vaccs. I also do the Lyme's because I am in a high tick area. Ask you vet, it is not a new protocol, just not offered often. They make good money on all those vaccs. I actually want to do a separate discussion on this, it's on the list.

Permalink Reply by Sue & the Crew on July 30, 2010 at 8:49pm

Thanks. And this deserves a separate discussion. I'm looking forward to it.

Member Since 2009Permalink Reply by Jeannine, Gamine & Thalie on July 30, 2010 at 8:57pm

Eye Infection Can Be Serious for Pets:www.squidoo.com/pet-eye-infection

Pet owners want the best for the pets and that includes keeping their pets healthy by trying to prevent diseases and illnesses and treating them when they occur. Unfortunately eye infections are fairly common in pets. They can crop up on their own or occur when something lodges in the eye. They can also occur when the surface of the eye, called the cornea, gets scratched.

Warnings Signs That Your Dog Has an Infection

The common warning signs to look out for that your pet has an eye infection are: eye discharge, squinting, redness, cloudiness, and trying to rub and scratch the eye. Rubbing or scratching of the eye can make things worse for your pet. One of those cone shaped instruments that covers the head will prevent your pet from rubbing their eyes and further irritating the condition.

Eye discharge may be ugly, but it's a valuable warning sign that something is wrong. This is important because infections can progress very quickly and even in some cases cause permanent eye damage. Discharge is a telltale sign of infection and will often be thick, yellow, gray, or green. Any off-colored eye discharge that persists for longer than 48 hours without improvement should be seen by a vet.

Infections of the eye and surrounding structures are common in pets and usually involve the conjunctiva, leading to conjunctivitis or "pink eye."

Causes of Eye Infections

Causes of infections include various bacteria, viruses like the Herpes virus, foreign material or irritants in the eye and even Lyme disease. Eye infections may become chronic if not treated and can cause permanent damage such as blindness if neglected.

Some dog breeds are more likely to get eye infections than others. Before you get a dog, research its breed to see if they are more prone to eye infections.

What to Do If You Think your Pet Has an Infection

If you think your pet has an eye infection, you should get them examined at the Vet for a test, treatment, and to prevent permanent damage from occurring.

Vets often recommend applying an antibiotic ointment made especially for the eye. Other treatments besides an ointment are eye drops and all natural herbal treatments. Medications can be received from the Vet and there are also many websites, such as Petsuppliesfastand Natures Healthy Pet, that offer medications for dog and cat eye infections, some being homeopathic or all natural medications. If you want to save money, you can usually get medications cheaper online than at the Vet.

To sooth the painful side effects of an eye infection, one of the best products available is Newtons Homeopathics Eye Irritation. It relieves pain, itching, dryness, swelling, redness, tired eyes, pink eye, and thick yellow discharge of the eyes.

Preventing Eye Infections in Pets
Sometimes your pet will get an eye infection no matter what. You just can't prevent it. However, there are steps you can do to help prevent your pet from getting an eye infection and to maintain optimum eye health.

The steps are:

Always keep your dog head inside moving vehicles
Check your dog's eyes on a regular basis
Make sure its annual veterinary checkup includes a thorough eye exam.
Keep your dog's eyes clean by wiping away any discharge that may accumulate.

This product Halo Herbal Eye Wash will keep your pet's eyes clean, open tear ducts, and sooth irritated tissue. I have used this with great success on my own pets and always keep some handy.

New YouTube videos:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk0dJizgjFE&feature=player_embedded

Member Since 2009Permalink Reply by Jeannine, Gamine & Thalie on July 30, 2010 at 9:25pm

Sprains in Dogs:www.petplace.com/dogs/sprains-in-dogs/page1.aspx

Section: Overview


A sprain is damage to tissue supporting a joint, primarily ligament damage. Ligaments are tough fibrous material that connect one bone to another. There are three categories of sprains and each may require different treatment.

Grade I. These are sprains in which a portion of the ligament is torn. The ligament still keeps the bones together and is still functional. Swelling and pain may be apparent.

Grade II. These sprains are those in which the ligament is partially torn or significantly stretched. The ligament still connects one bone to another but does not have the strength to function normally. Swelling, pain and inability to fully use the joint may be seen.

Grade III. This ligament damage is the worst type and is no longer a sprain. The ligament is completely torn and there is no longer a connection from one bone to another. A common example of this type of ligament damage is a torn cruciate ligament (in the knee).

The most common cause of sprains is trauma. Automobile accident, animal attacks or fights, falling from a high area or injuries during running or exercise are most commonly implicated.

What to Watch For

.Lameness or inability to use limb or joint
.Swelling
.Pain

Diagnosis

Diagnosing a sprain can be done based on physical exam findings. Typically X-rays are done to determine if a fracture is present because the symptoms are similar. X-rays cannot determine the extent of ligament damage.

Determining the grade of sprain can be more difficult and is generally done based on the physical examination. Sedation is sometimes required to allow the veterinarian to feel and move the joint while the surrounding muscles are relaxed.

.Grade III damage usually results in significant damage and the joint is more moveable and flexible than normal.

.Grade II sprains usually have some laxity in the joint but the animal can still use the joint and walk.

.Grade I sprains usually have strong functional joints with some swelling and pain.

Treatment

Treatment of a sprain is based on severity.

.Grade I sprains are treated with anti inflammatory medications and a short term splint to support and protect the joint. Recovery may take several weeks but the joint generally returns to normal function.

.Grade II sprains are treated with anti-inflammatory medication. Splints may be used initially for support, but many of these require some type of surgery to stabilize the joint. With treatment, the joint can usually retain most of the normal function.

.Grade III ligament damage requires surgery. Healing is prolonged and the joint may not return to full function.

Home Care

There is no home care for ligament damage or sprains. Treatment is recommended in order to speed healing and prevent further joint damage. Prior to veterinary care, keep your pet quiet and confined to a small area. Do not allow him to walk significant distances, jump or run.

Once your pet returns home from treatment, strict confinement is crucial. If a splint was applied, keep it clean and dry. Watch the edges of the splint for rubbing or chafing of the skin. Watch the toes for swelling.

Give anti-inflammatory or pain medication as recommended by your veterinarian.

Preventative Care

Most sprains are caused by some type of traumatic incident. Avoiding trauma by keeping cats indoor and leash walking dogs can greatly diminish the chance of injury. But pets are like children and accidents do happen. It is very difficult to suppress a happy playful pet when he really wants to play.

.

Permalink Reply by Sue & the Crew on July 30, 2010 at 9:30pm

Jeaninne, this is all good information. Maybe you should start separate discussions for each condition so it is easier to find.

AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on July 30, 2010 at 9:33pm

We were just talking about that. Ping Box.

Member Since 2009Permalink Reply by Jeannine, Gamine & Thalie on July 30, 2010 at 9:39pm

Sue,
My vet, which is a mobile vet(!!) will never give my girls vaccines against my wish. The only med. they received is the heartworms and one vaccine in the fall, I din't remember the name now but will find that out for you. My girls have blood test every year BRFORE anything is given to her. I'll check with my invoice and will tell you how much it is.

Neither Gamine or Thalie get annual vaccines. I do not believe in that and matter of fact studies prove that it is one of the most cause for cancer... (and yes we will move all those in separate discussion. I just want to put it there before I loose it. Each will have it own discussion)

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